Busy Week

It has been a busy week here yet I feel as though I didn't get anything accomplished.  My house looks as big of a mess as it was at the first of the week.  The kids were going to a summer program which has ended and they now have too much free time on their hands.  Today was a rough day of bickering.  It didn't matter what it was, they were going to fight over it and then come and tattle to me about it.  Ack....by dinner time I had enough.  I told them that the next child to bicker was going right to bed because I have had enough.

Obviously I need to get a better schedule going.  I have started a daily reading and math time to get the kids back on track. Also, we have a lot of changes so I need to get a new chore chart going.  I have decided to give special chores to kids who lie to me.  Today I was able to get the shoes closet organized and a lot of clutter picked up.  I need to get a list of possible chores so that I am prepared.  I am contemplating having a jar to allow them to pick a chore.  Maybe the lying will decrease.....or maybe not.  It is worth a try.

I took Anthony and Larissa to the dentist this week.  Anthony had no cavities so he doesn't go back for 6 months.  Larissa had an old filling that fell out and they want to crown it now.  It is a baby tooth that she will lose in the next 2 or 3 years.  I also got referrals for both kids for the orthodontist.  Now I am afraid to take the other two in!

I also registered all the kids for school this week.  Larissa was really quiet during this time.  It is an exciting time, learning who your teacher is and all the school supplies.  In spite of the other kids excitement, Larissa didn't ask to go back to school.  I know that she was thinking about it and she has said that she is concerned about being bored.  When I asked her about it she paused and said that school gives her a headache.  She will do homeschooling this year and will decide at the end of the year what she wants to do next year.  I was surprised that she was already thinking forward so far.

I am not sure what it is about a big family but the person in charge of taking registration money was shocked that we had to pay.  If you have free lunches you don't pay a registration fee.  The registration fee here is $30 per child. (I remember the day when there wasn't a registration fee.) The lady asked me why we were paying a registration fee since we had so many kids.  I was surprised that she did.  I told her that we had too high of an income and didn't get free lunches.  She seemed shocked and said the she assumed that anyone with a lot of kids qualified.  Oh well, not us.

Then I had to make a lot of calls.  The upstairs A/C unit died and needed some new part.  I couldn't tell you what, just that they came out and when they left it was working.  The kids were very happy because it was the upstairs unit. 

Then the roof started leaking.  Our new roof is only 2 years old, it shouldn't be leaking.  I had to dig up the invoice and call them.  They will be out next week.

And, Jason was home for a visit.  His car was overheating and he couldn't get home.  That repair ended up being the thermostat.  From what I understand that was a good thing.  I don't know, I do not have a mechanic understanding of cars at all.  I rely on my auto repairman to do the right thing for me.

Also, the dishwasher needs repairs again.  It is pretty new but is falling apart.  We seem to wear those things out in less than a year.  They should use our house as a testing point.  If it lasts a year here then it is a good dishwasher.  I have been dawdling on making that call since it isn't as big of a priority as the roof and A/C.

Next I had to make arrangements to take Sarah to her college.  We are making a weekend of it so I had to find someone to take care of my mom and a hotel big enough for our family.  I ended up spending more than I wanted on a 2 bedroom condo. Oh, reminds me, we need to ask about the foster kids.  We have to get permission to take them or they go to respite.  We have never had a problem getting permission but I also haven't heard from them all week.  I have requested a doctor appointment, need to know when speech is and have no Medicaid cards.  This seems to be the norm these days.

I can already tell that this is going to be one of those months where the money runs out before the month does.  Lots of expenses this month.  Last month was a hard month with a lot going on.  Also we had three extra mouths to feed. I have been surprised at how much our grocery bill has increased.  I also had to buy new clothing for the fosters.  They came from another foster home so they received the placement check (a whopping $100/child).  I had to buy underwear, shoes that fit, socks and clothing for the two little ones.  The thing about foster care is you have all this extra expense but you don't receive any subsidy until the next month some time.  Here subsidy payments come about the middle of the month.

I know that this sounds like a complaining post.  The kids are going crazy and the house is falling apart.  But really, I am thankful. 

Thankful that I have a house in spite of the upkeep and a phone to call repairmen. 

Thankful that in spite of how much they annoy me at times, I have been blessed with the opportunity to be mom to so many children. 

Thankful that our pantry is full even if it isn't full of everybody's favorite thing. (Although I do have a secret stash of chocolate). 

Thankful that even though money is often tight these days, we do get all the bills paid. 

Thankful that all my concerns these days are manageable and that I have been given the ability to multi-task, because I sure have to multi-task.

So, how is your summer wrapping up?  Are you ready for school?